Maria Cieslak is the Professional Development Manager at the Center for Applied Linguistics in Washington, D.C. facilitating workshops on the SIOP Model, Newcomers, Long-Term English Learners, MTSS, and academic language in STEM. Trilingual in Polish, English, and Spanish, Maria taught Kindergarten through 8th grade in Illinois and Nevada, as a bilingual/ ESL/ and general education teacher. In addition to her varied and extensive teaching and instructional coaching background, Maria is nationally board certified in English as a New Language Ages 3-12 with teaching endorsements in computer applications. With over 25 years of experience in education, Maria continues to advocate for multilingual learners’ access and success in STEM fields by building partnerships, leveraging policy and expanding innovation.

In her 35 years as an educator, inclusion specialist, program coordinator, administrator, and professional developer, Marybelle has acquired experience within the fields of ESOL, Bilingual Education, Bilingual Special Education, Special Education, content area instruction and evaluation, and Professional Development. She has adjunct at various colleges and universities in teacher programs. Marybelle is presently the Associate Director of Professional Development for the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL). For CAL she has provided coaching, workshops, and presentations for schools, districts, national conferences, and various education based organizations in topics involving Bilingual Students, English Learners, and Second Language Acquisition. Marybelle has a B.A. in Psychology & Spanish Language & Literature, an M.A. in Bilingual Special Education, and an M.S. in Administration & Supervision with a specialty in professional development.